This Sydney hotel offers unforgettable views and home-like comforts

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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The apartment-style Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is ideal for long stays and those wanting to explore the city’s icons.

Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is one of those buildings in the Emerald City that locals drive past, wishing the stunning views it offers were theirs. Nestled in the heart of the iconic Circular Quay, this apartment-hotel provides breathtaking vistas of Sydney Harbour and the CBD, along with all the facilities needed for a long stay or easy access to the city’s landmarks.

Whether it’s booking an unforgettable stay to witness the New Year’s Eve fireworks or a comfortable business trip, Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour offers convenience, comfort and luxury.

Location

Sunset of Sydney Harbour and the CBD at Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour.
Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is nestled in the heart of the iconic Circular Quay.

Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour stands out for its exceptional location. Tucked in Sydney’s Circular Quay with breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, this luxury apartment-hotel offers unparalleled access to the city’s top attractions. Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Rocks are just steps away, and, notably, it’s the closest hotel to the Sydney Opera House.

For further exploration, trains, buses and ferries are only minutes from the hotel.

Sydney Airport is a convenient 20-minute drive.

Style and character

The living room interior of a Deluxe Harbour View Suite at Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour.
Mel Porter Design injected contemporary flair into the suites.

Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour blends modern elegance and classic sophistication with a high-end residential feel. The lobby area is understated from the outside, but its sleek appearance mimics the look of a luxury apartment building. Inside, the foyer is swathed in marble and glass, with neutral tones and blues that reflect the surrounding harbour.

The hotel received a revamp in 2022 by interior design studio Mel Porter Design, who injected contemporary flair into the suites. These feature neutral-toned furnishings elevated by gold accents and modern art.

The building’s design takes advantage of its location by featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive balconies for soaking up the vibrant energy of Circular Quay.

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Facilities

People dining at Hacienda Sydney, Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour
Hacienda Sydney is the perfect spot for elevated cocktails and Latin-inspired bites. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Unlike many CBD hotels, Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour has a swimming pool that, again, boasts harbour views thanks to expansive glass windows. There is also a spa next to the pool, a gym and a sauna on-site.

There are two wonderful dining facilities: Q Dining and Hacienda Sydney (more on them later).

Valet parking is available, but there is no on-site parking.

Rooms

A two-bedroom apartment suite with Sydney Harbour Views.
Harbour View suites offer breathtaking vistas.

A huge drawcard of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is that it features spacious one- and two-bedroom apartment-style suites that offer home-like comforts that make it ideal for longer visits or business travellers.

Each of the 72 suites is fitted with a fully-equipped modern kitchen with pots and pans, laundry facilities, a jacuzzi bath, separate dining and lounge areas and a private balcony – a luxury in the city. Garden View suites offer outlooks of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, while the more luxe Harbour View suites – which are definitely recommended – overlook the water so you can sit on your sunny balcony, admiring the city’s iconic bobbing green and yellow ferries below.

Those needing to stay productive will appreciate the full-sized work desk and high-speed Internet available in each suite.

Bathrooms err on the side of dated, but they are spacious and having a large spa is a welcome luxury.

Food and drink

A close-up shot of pasta at Q Dining, Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour.
Enjoy modern Australian fare at Q Dining.

Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour has two dining venues that showcase harbour views: Q Dining and Hacienda.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at Q Dining, an airy restaurant adorned in coastal blues and light timbers that serves modern Australian fare.

Start your day at Q Dining with a la carte breakfast options such as the indulgent brioche bacon egg roll and the banana caramel waffles. For a quick lunch, the $45 Express Lunch offers a choice of a main dish, such as lobster prawn ravioli with saffron butter and dill, paired with a glass of wine.

Dinner offers a range of delicious dishes such as zucchini blossom, prawn, scallop, buttermilk, chilli, and herb oil, and O’Connor tenderloin, truffled onion, asparagus, and Bordelaise sauce. For a sweet finish,  round off your meal with a poached peach, macadamia, Earl Grey, mascarpone, and honeycomb.

Hacienda Sydney sits on level three and is a must-visit during your stay. Adorned in sophisticated neutrals,  gold accents, palms, and Latin American flair, it’s the perfect spot for elevated tipples and snacks with picture-perfect views. Indulge in Latin-inspired dishes such as the crab linguine with charred habanero and manchego arepas with fancy Hank’s Hot Sauce (a must-order) and punchy cocktails like the Fuma with Alipus San Andres Mezcal, lime, vanilla honey and passionfruit.

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Does Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour have access for guests with disabilities?

There is wheelchair accessibility throughout the main areas of the hotel, and the one-bedroom Garden View suites are accessible. Contact the hotel for more details when booking.

Is Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour family-friendly?

A suite at the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour.
The fully equipped kitchens are perfect for preparing family meals.

Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour welcomes families with its Family Fun Package, which includes daily breakfast, parking, and a Busy Nippers Kids Pack. The spacious rooms and prime location make this accommodation a smart choice for families.

Details

Best for: Business travellers, long stays, and couples

Address: 61 Macquarie St, Sydney

Cost: From $489 per night

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Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is a freelance travel journalist. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love, Bed Threads and Australian Traveller/International Traveller. When she's not writing, editing or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list is Lord Howe Island.
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3 vintage train journeys to step back in time and explore NSW

(Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

    Elizabeth Whitehead Elizabeth Whitehead
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    From country landscapes to the coast, Vintage Rail Journeys blends the grandeur of the golden age of rail travel with immersive local experiences.

    Travelling aboard the historic Southern Aurora train is the ultimate scenic journey through regional NSW. Operated by Vintage Rail Journeys, the former Southern Aurora is a step back in time, from the lovingly restored carriages to the Off Train Experiences that spotlight local history, artisanal crafts and regional producers.

    Once the overnight express that ferried passengers between Sydney and Melbourne throughout the 1960s, this train has been revived to its former mid-century glory, from the cabin layouts to the original lettering. Today, the train takes passengers on scenic and historic five-day journeys – starting and ending in Sydney – through three distinct regions of NSW: The Riverina, Golden West and North Coast.

    Vintage Rail Journeys Southern Aurora train carriage
    Be transported into the golden age of travel. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

    One of the most magical parts of travelling with Vintage Rail Journeys is waking up on the train. Each night, the train stables at a station so guests can enjoy a restful night’s sleep in stillness, before departing again at dawn. Passengers awake to the gentle motion of the carriage, flicking open the blinds to watch the landscape unfold at sunrise. There is no better way to start the day.

    The onboard experience come evening time is just as picturesque. Guests enjoy the all-inclusive food and beverages, nursing cocktails in the Art Deco-inspired lounge carriage or lingering over a three-course dinner in the dining carriage. Outside the window, Eastern grey kangaroos bound across open plains and flocks of cockatoos scatter from the gumtrees. It’s an old-world way of travelling, a slower pace that’s increasingly rare amid the frenzy of modern life. From coastal sojourns to adventures through agrarian landscapes, these are the multi-day Vintage Rail Journeys itineraries transporting guests back in time.

    The Riverina

    Vintage Rail Journeys Southern Aurora train travelling through nsw
    Travel through the agricultural heartland of NSW. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

    The Riverina is the agricultural heartland of NSW. Over five days, Vintage Rail Journeys takes passengers through the region to experience its celebrated produce, wines and local history. Travelling in a loop through the Central West, guests can sample sweets at the Junee Liquorice & Chocolate Factory, housed inside a former flour mill, tour an olive grove alongside a second-generation olive farmer, and enjoy tastings at family-owned wineries where the grapes are harvested mere metres away.

    The Riverina is also a region shaped by passionate local historians. The Fairground Follies museum in Bowral houses one of the world’s largest collections of mechanical music and carnival memorabilia – a riot of colour and nostalgia tucked away where you’d least expect it. Meanwhile, Temora Rural Museum offers a glimpse into the history of everyday life in rural NSW. It’s home to the NSW & ACT Ambulance Museum (yes, a museum within a museum), packed with ambulances that span the past 120 years (including horse-drawn!). And seeing it all aboard a vintage train makes it feel not just like you’re visiting history, but living inside of it.

    North Coast

    Forest Sky Pier
    Take in the views from Forest Sky Pier. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    This five-day journey is all about ocean views and slowing down in tune with the rhythm of coastal life. As you make your way north from Sydney, the water is never too far from sight, whether Vintage Rail Journeys is tracing the Gloucester River or travelling alongside sweeping stretches of coastline. You’ll want to sit by a window as the train passes through the Coffs Harbour region – it’s one of the most scenic stretches of the whole journey.

    Guests can also disembark at Coffs Harbour to take in the beauty of the Great Dividing Range at the Forest Sky Pier – a surreal lookout point that looks like a runway disappearing into the sky. The train continues onward to Byron Bay, where guests can disembark to explore the iconic beach town at their own pace. And on the return journey to Sydney, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins – they’re known to frequent the Kooragang Wetlands near Newcastle, which guests visit on a lunch cruise on the final day.

    Golden West

    winery experience in new south wales
    Jump off the train for a winery experience. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

    Travelling through the Golden West by rail is like stepping into a Frederick McCubbin painting – a nod to the golden era of rail travel. This five-day journey evokes the era of Australian Impressionism, passing through some of the country’s most painterly landscapes while tracing a path through history.

    Starting in Sydney, the train makes its way to the Hawkesbury River, where the train crosses a historic rail bridge over the bronze, glassy waters below. Guests disembark here to cruise the brackish inlet aboard a historic postal boat before returning to the train to continue into Gold Rush country. Ahead lie grand heritage towns and historic estates, including the 1870s Abercrombie House in Bathurst.

    Special event journeys

    meal onboard Vintage Rail Journeys Southern Aurora train
    Enjoy all-inclusive dining and beverages on the way to special events. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

    Regional NSW is home to some truly one-of-a-kind events, and Vintage Rail Journeys offers a memorable way to get there. Planning a trip to the Bathurst Repco 1000? Vintage Rail Journeys’ special itinerary combines accommodation, dining and transport into one seamless experience. Guests take the scenic route to Bathurst, where the train becomes a unique home base for the event, complete with transfers, all-inclusive dining and beverages, and three days of reserved grandstand seating before returning to Sydney Central Station.

    For something a little more playful, guests can also join fellow Elvis enthusiasts on a special overnight journey to Parkes for the town’s iconic annual Elvis Festival. It’s a vintage rail journey – with a little added rock ‘n’ roll.

    Step back into the golden age of rail travel at vintagerailjourneys.com.au.

     

    What it's like to stay at Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour